To implement s. 1003.4996, F.S., Competency-Based Education Pilot Program. Beginning with the 2016-17 school year, the Competency-Based Education Pilot Program is created within the Department of Education to be administered for a period of five years. The pilot program will allow students to progress through Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) achieving mastery at their own pace, or to receive more time and support in areas where that may be needed. The State Board of Education-approved course descriptions that include the State Board of Education-approved NGSSS remain the foundation of instruction. The State Board of Education may authorize the commissioner to grant waiver of rules for eligible participants specific only to requirements associated with student progression pursuant to s. 1008.25, F.S., and the awarding of credits pursuant to s. 1003.426, F.S. A participating school district requesting a waiver will be required to indicate how the law will be implemented once the waiver is granted. Eligible to submit an application for participation in the pilot program are the school districts of Lake, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Seminole Counties and the P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School.